COURT HOUSE –– Middle Township High School boy’s soccer team did something Oct. 30 it hadn’t done since 2000. They beat Auggie.
The Panthers, ranked No. 8, defeated No. 5 St. Augustine 1-0 to finish in a tie with the Hermits for the Cape-Atlantic League’s National Conference and Division I titles. It’s Middle Township’s first division title since 1999 and their first conference championship since 1983 when Ronald Reagan was in the White House.
Junior forward Zach Todd scored the game’s only goal at 21:35 in the first half on an assist by striker Austin Johnson and Middle’s defenders stymied the Hermits’ potent offence.
“St. Augustine is one of the top teams in South Jersey year after year so this was a very satisfying win,” Panther coach John Maher told the Herald. “We showed we were able, not only to compete with them, but take advantage of a scoring opportunity and also hold them back defensively.”
Mayer said the victory was especially sweet since it was the last time they’d be playing St. Augustine on a regular basis. The Hermits are moving to the American Conference next year, he said.
St. Augustine did put one by Panthers goaltender Scott DeCecco on a free kick outside the 18-yard line in the first half, but the Hermits were called off sides. That play was especially nerve-racking for Middle fans since the team lost 1-0 in its Oct. 3 match against St. Augustine on a similar play.
Maher, whose team played tough against St. Augustine both times this year, said the games were all about the match-ups. He said he had his best defenders cover St. Augustine’s top scorers.
Junior defender Billy Daniels effectively blanketed one of the Hermit’s stars Junior Chapman in the first half, but St. Augustine coach Les Heggan countered by pulling his player back to midfield.
After that move, Mayer had speedy Kevin Lombardo cover Chapman to take away potential runs at the goal.
Stopper Sean Schellenger likewise marked up Devon Riley, the Hermit’s other top player.
“Coaching against a great coach like Heggan is always tough,” Mayer said likening the strategy to a chess game. “He makes moves to try to take the advantage and you just have to counter as best you can. We were able to hold on and win.”
Mayer said he’s looking forward to the playoffs, which for Middle start tomorrow at 2 p.m. at home against Haddon Township.
He also said he has high hopes for next season.
“We beat Auggie with a team that starts eight juniors,” he said. “Ten of our 14 top players will be returning next year so we should contend for the title again.”
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com
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